Fluid-flow meter.



L. A. SHELDON.

FLUID PLOW METER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.4, 191a.

Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

Inventor. Lucian 04.Sheldon, b m

Witnesses:

HIS oqttorneg,

; zzmzw- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUCIA-N A. SHELDON, OF BCHEN'ECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A COBIOBATION OF NEW YORK- YIJUID-FLOW METER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

Application filed April 4, 1818. Serial'No. 758 819.

To all wk om it may concern Be it known that I, LUCIAN A. Summon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful.- Improvements in Fluid-Flow Meters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for measuring the now of fluid through a supply main, as for example a steam main. t utilizes in its operation the principle of the well known Bourdon tube, a device of this general character being subjected to the action of a portion of the main stream of fluid which is caused to flow through it under the influence of the varying pressures set up by said stream in suitable means. such as a differential ressure nozzle inserted in he main. ihe deflections or movements of the device are caused to rotate a suitable indicator, preferably by the intervention of magnetic transmission devices, which arrangement permits the device to be inclosed in a chamber in which the static pressure of the fluid in the main is maintained.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a sectional view of the improved flow meter applied to a main; Fig. 2 is a plan view partly in section on the line 2-2, Fig. 3; and Fig. 3 is a partly sectional side elevation of a portion of the transmitting mechanism, taken nearly at right angles to Fi 1.

The steam or other fluid is assume to be flowing through the main 1 in the direction of the large arrow. Projecting diametrically across the main is a nozzle plug, preferably constructed as shown. although other devices for creating a pressure difference having a definite relation to the rate of flow might be employed. A tube 2, closed at its lower end, is screwed into a pasagc way 3 extending up through a hub 4 cast integral with the pot 5 which forms a chamher for the meter. The tube is provided on the upstream side with small holes 6, which form the leading ortion of the nozzle and admit steam to tie meter. Inside of the tube 2 is a smaller tube 7. whose. lower end connects with a port 8 on the down-stream or trailing side of the nozzle and may also connect. if desired, with ports 8 at right angles to the port 8. The n ipcr end of the {mesa a way 3 connects with one end of a ielica tube 9 of elastic metal and preferably oval in cross section, as shown. The upper end of the inner tube 7 also connects with the lower end of a second helical metallic tube 10, arranged in the same cylindrical surface as the tube 9. The upper ends of the two tubes are connected, preferably by means of a hollow block 11, so that the two tubes in effect constitute a tube doubled upon itself and coiled into a helix. There is a continuous channel from the leading face of the nozzle through the several tubes to the trailing face, which provides for a flow of steam through the tube system. as indicated by the small arrows when steam is flowing through the main. The leading portion of the nozzle converts the velocity of the steam into pressure which pressure being greater than that in the trailing portion 0 the nozzle causes the steam to flow through the elastic tubes 9 and 10, and the impact of the steam on the outer surfaces of the passages through the coils tends to straighten them out more or less, dependin upon the changes in the rate of flow throng the tubes due to variations in the flow of steam through the main. The elasticity of the tubes tends to restore them to their nor and position.

The movements of the double helix formed by the tubes 9 and 10 are conveyed to a suitable indicator. In order to eliminate the effects of all but the pressures due to velocity so that the forces tending to straighten the tubes will be directly proportional to variations in velocity of flow, the pot 5 is provided with a steam-tight cover 12. and a pipe 13 is led into the pot from some point on the main,so that the static pressure may be balanced on the outside and inside of the tubes 9 and 10.

To avoid the difficulties and annoyances incident to carrying a spindle or other mechanical transmitting device from the tube; through the walls of the chamber to an indicator outside the chamber. the tubes are caused to rotate a magnet which influences a magnetic indicator. The magnet 14 is preferably U-shaped and is mounted on an upright spindle in journalcd in suitable bearings in a light frame 16 supported on lugs just below the cover 12. A pinion 17 on the spindle meshes with a sector gear 18 carried on a lever 19 fulcrumed on the frame and attached at its outer end to a link 20 which is pivoted to the block 11.

Suppor ed on the cover 12 is a shallow box 21 having a glazed top 22. In the box is a magnet 23 carrying a needle or pointer, said magnet being pivoted on an axis in line with that of the spindle l5 and lying in the field of force of the l J-shaped magnet 14. This indicator. follows exactly the movements of the magnet 14, so that the varying efl'ects of the forces due to the steam flow can be observed and the flow determined by an attendant who watches this needle as it moves over a suitable scale.

This meter isespecially advantageous in marine work,because it is not aiiected by the movements of the ship.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the .best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A fluid flow meter comprising a differ ential pressure nozzle, an elastic metallic tube doubled upon itself with its ends connected respectively with the leading and trailin portions of said nozzle, and means for indicating the movements of the tube.

2. A' fluid flow meter comprising a differ- 'ential pressure nozzle, an elastic metallic tube bent into the form of adoubl'e helix with its ends connected respectively with the leading and trailing portions of said nozzle, and means for indicating the movements of the tube. 3. A fluid-flow meter comprising a difl'erential pressure nozzle, an elastic metallic tube doubled u -n itself with its ends connected respectlvely with the leading and trailing portions of said nozzle, means for indicating the movements of said tube, and

means for subjecting the outside of the tube to a static pressure of such value as to balange the static pressure on the inside of the tu e. 4. A fluid flow meter comprising a differential pressure nozzle, an elastic metallic tube bent into the form of a double helix with its ends connected respectively with the leading 'andtrailing-portions ofsaidnozzle, a closed chamber in which the helix is inclosed, connections between said chamber and the supply of fluid which is being metered, an indicator outside of, the chamber and magnetic means for transmitting the movements of the tube to said indicator.

5. A fluid flow meter comprising a pot having a hub containing a longitudinal passage way, a tube forming a continuation of said passage way and provided withholes in one side and an opening at an angle to said holes, a smaller'tube inside of the afo esaid tube communicating with said opening, a double helical tube of elastic metal located in saidpot and having its' ends connected respectively with the aforesaid tubes, and means for indicating the movements of the helical tube. v a

6. A meter for measuring the flow of fluid through a maincomprising a pot having a hub adapted to enter the main, a differential pressure nozzle communicating through said hub with the interior of the pot, a helical tube of elastic metal inclosed in the-pot and connected with the nozzle, a fluid tight cover for the pot, a magnetcarrying spindle geared to the free end of thehelical tube, and a magnetic indicator outside of the cover and arranged in the field of force of said magnet.

7. A meter for measuring the flow of fluid tube having the form of a, double helix, a device in which the velocity of the flowing fluid creates a pressure having a definite relation to the rate of flow, a connection between the device and one end of the tube, a connection between the other end of the through a main comprising an elastic metallic tube and the interior of the main, and means for subjecting the outside of the tube to a static pressure of such value as to balance the static pressure on the inside of the tube.

8. A meter for measuring the flow of fluid elastic material arranged in shunt relation to the main, a device that connects one end of the tube to the interior of the main and has an opening exposed to the impact of the through a main comprising a coiled tube of flowing fluid, a connection between the other 5 end of the tube and the interior of the main, and indicating means controlled bythe tube.

9. A meter for measuring the flow of fluid through a main comprising a curved tube of elastic material arranged in shunt relation .to .the main with its ends fixed in position,

and means for showing the rate of flow that is controlled by the movement of the portion of the tube between said ends.

10. Aineter for measuring the flow of fluid through a. main comprising two helical tubes of elastic material each'having one end con: nected to the interior of the main, a connection between the'other ends of the tubes, and means for showing the rate of flow that is controlled. by the movement of the last named ends of the tubes.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto setmy hand this 3rd day of'April, 1913.

. LUCIAN A. SHELDON.

Witnesses:

BENJAMIN B. HULL, HELEN Garcia). 

